The letter contained a white powder described as harmless by local media.
Rabat – The Moroccan consulate in Antwerp, Belgium is on high alert after receiving a letter containing a suspicious white powder.
A video posted by local media shows firefighters and police surrounding the consulate.
The consulate received the letter at 2:30 p.m. local time on Thursday.
Authorities evacuated the consulate of both staff and visitors.
Eight people, including the Moroccan consul, touched the letter.
Security services have put the eight people in quarantine
Sven Lonmmaert, the spokesperson of the Antwerp police, said that 34 people were in the consulate at the time, according to local reports.
In total, 26 people did not touch the letter.
The police spokesperson said that none of the eight people appeared to develop physical complaints. The individuals who touched the letter were allowed to leave the building, but authorities advised them to report complaints immediately to health authorities in case of a problem.
Local media believe the powder was harmless. Gazette Van Antwerpen speculated that the powder was sugar.
Authorities in the region opened an investigation to determine the nature of the powder.
HLN news outlet reported that the people who touched the letter show no signs of exposure to dangerous chemicals. The news outlet reported that police think the powder was harmless.
